Republic of Ireland raised awareness worldwide in Israel game

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said his players “raised awareness worldwide” after they chose not to engage in pre-match formalities with Israel.

The Republic of Ireland and Israel players did not shake hands and the Irish squad bowed their heads when Israel’s anthem was played before their 3-0 Uefa Nations League win in Hungary.

There was also no exchange of pennants between Republic of Ireland captain Dara O’Shea and Israel skipper Manor Solomon, who did not shake hands.

The fixtures, being played at neutral venues, have been embroiled in controversy since February when the two teams were drawn to play each other in Group B3.

The Republic of Ireland players have faced calls to withdraw from the games because of the ongoing Israel-Gaza war with a “Stop The Game” campaign – organised by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine – gathering pace.

“It has been so difficult for so many players,” Hallgrimsson told broadcaster RTE after the game.

“I hope that will not be in the next game because they have shown support to the protest, they have raised awareness worldwide, not only in Ireland, on the subject and that is normally the reason for protesting, to raise awareness of a situation.

“I think these players have done that with all their actions, with all that they have been saying. No more than Gavin Bazunu, but the others have done it here on the pitch and how they have shown their actions, so I hope people understand that.”

The Republic of Ireland players voted to fulfil the fixture during a lengthy meeting at the team’s hotel in Debrecen on Saturday.

Later on Saturday, goalkeeper Bazunu confirmed he had withdrawn from the squad, saying he felt it “would be wrong to participate” in Sunday’s game and the return fixture in the Serbian town of Backa Topola on 4 October.

The Irish players wore black armbands, which Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chief executive David Courell said on Saturday was a gesture “in recognition of all lives lost in the [Gaza] conflict”.

After scoring the Republic of Ireland’s third goal, Jack Moylan removed his armband and kissed it before kissing his team’s badge.